Yeni Erenkoy residents being harassed by Greek Cypriots

Yeni Erenkoy residents being harassed by Greek Cypriots

Residents of Yeni Erenkoy (Yialousa) village have complained that they are being harassed by Greek Cypriots regarding property.

Apparently encouraged by statements made by both community leaders on property recognition rights under a settlement, they are “harassing” them on a regular basis and telling them they will have to leave.

Turkish Cypriot daily ‘Star Kibris’, reported on Monday that inhabitants of the village claim that Greek Cypriots were visiting more often than before.

Some said the Greek Cypriots take pictures, enter houses and tell inhabitants: “This place is ours, you should leave. We are going to settle here.”

Similar reports have come to light recently since President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci announced they had agreed to recognise the individual’s right to property under a settlement. This would apply to both the legal owners and the current users, they said. In addition the leaders said a property commission would be set up to manage compensation, return or exchange of property.

The details are currently being discussed by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators. Both Anastasiades and Akinci have been criticised by their respective sides. Turkish Cypriots fear being ousted from Greek Cypriot properties, and Greek Cypriots have been irritated by the notion of any sort of recognition for ‘current users’ of their properties.

Yeni Erenkoy’s community leader, Vahibe Ozkasirga told ‘Star Kibris’ that the villagers are annoyed because Greek Cypriots were entering properties without permission.

She said she wished the Turkish Cypriot politicians “who are so keen to defend the rights of the Greek Cypriots could show the courage needed to defend the rights of their own people as well”.

The former mayor of the town, Ozay Oykun told the newspaper: “Those who say that the Greek Cypriots will have the first say on the property issue should deal with the problems of the residents who are experiencing these tensions.”